A section of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) stakeholders in Baringo County have raised concerns following the scarcity of dedicated safe spaces and rescue centers for survivors.
The critical component in the fight against the menace arose during the launch of a county Anti-FGM steering committee in Kabarnet town on Thursday.
The County recorded 21.2 percent as per the Kenya Demographic Health Survey of 2022 which is higher than the national index that stands at 15 per cent.
Anti-FGM Board director of programmes Nyerere Kutwa who presided over the multi-sectoral forum highlighted the need for synergy in tackling the vice which is predominant in Tiaty, Mogotio and some parts of Baringo South and North constituencies majorly inhabited by Pokot, Tugen and Ilchamus Communities.
Kutwa acknowledged the infrastructure and resources challenges which he noted still remains a setback in achieving their objectives of having a society that is free from FGM.
“We cannot win the war against FGM if we don’t have a structured operation of doing things,” he said.
However, he noted that the advocacy efforts will continue even as both levels of government and other non-state actors’ source for funds for key infrastructure to serve all the 30 wards of the county.
Community Based Organisations’ Representatives and FGM champions noted that due to lack of safe spaces coupled with a broken referral system, the county is losing so many survivors while trying to access healthcare services.
Faith Cherutich, representing Tugen Community, stated that during the process, the survivors apart from missing medical attendance, they are left demoralized and end up lacking psychosocial support as well as legal advice.
She called upon the Cabinet Secretary for Gender Hanna Cheptumo to support in the establishment of enough spaces to rescue more survivors.
Rongai Leyakwara from Ilchamus Community in her remarks discouraged women from home delivery which she said is an avenue used by traditional midwives to take advantage in conducting FGM without their knowledge.
She at the same time advocated the use of mainstream and digital medias to transform members of the society who are adamant in foregoing harmful retrogressive cultural practices
Baringo County Government Director in charge of Youth Affairs and Gender Daudi Aengwo conceded the challenge which he said is beyond their reach since they are working under tight budget which is too small to effectively cover the expansive region of over 11,000 square kilometers.
Aengwo revealed that the county administration in this financial year for example has an allocation of a paltry 600,000 for gender mainstreaming and sensitization, yet they are supposed to conduct more than 12 programs in order to ensure widespread of information up to the grassroots where the survivors and perpetrators are found.
He recommended for the council of elders from the three communities to be involved in denouncement of harmful cultural practices affecting women and young girls.
By Benson Kelio and Christopher Kiprop
